Carers Trust responds to the Comprehensive Spending Review
Carers Trust has responded to the Comprehensive Spending Review (CSR). The CSR sets the Government’s long term spending plans and is an important indicator of policy priorities.
Carers Trust’s response set out:
- The urgent need for a short term cash injection for social care and the need for long term sustainable solution including support unpaid carers
- That a well funded social care system would improve outcomes in social care, the NHS as well as providing a catalyst for wider economic benefits
- The need to support young carers and young adult including investment in investment in support in schools, colleges and universities would allow young carers and young adult carers to achieve their potential
We know that there is a social care funding crisis and Coronavirus has exposed many of the consequences of successive governments failing to achieve a long term solution. The time has now come for a long term sustainable funding solution to be found and for the social care system to work for people with care and support needs and unpaid carers. The social care system must provide funding for supporting unpaid carers in their caring role.
We set out that with a well funded social care system, the government could provide sustainable employment for the 1.5 million people who currently work in the social care sector – and boost the local and national economy. Good quality social care could also enable more unpaid carers to get in, and stay in employment and balance work with caring responsibilities.
Young carers and young adult carers need support to achieve their potential. We know that caring can have an impact on a young person’s educational attainment, as well as their ability to get and keep a job. Investment, including making young carers eligible for Pupil Premium for being young carers, and including young adult carers in the list eligible for the award of the vulnerable bursary for further education, would make a real difference to the lives of these young people.
If you’d like more information, please contact the policy team.
